PORTLAND, OR - Visual effects studio Refuge (www.refugevfx.com) has announced an expansion into California, New York and New Jersey, along with the appointment of four key executives. New team members bring deep visual effects experience and include VFX supervisor Jason Sperling, executive producers Matthew Poliquin and Hallana Paula Barbosa, and director of new business Michael Lebensfeld.
Photo (L-R): Sperling, Poliquin, Barbosa and Lebensfeld
“I founded Refuge to create an environment where artists are free to unleash their creativity and deliver work that goes above and beyond what the client expects," shares Fred Ruff, founder and head of studio at Refuge. "We don’t just solve problems, we exceed expectations by anticipating them and preparing multiple possible paths. Jason, Matthew, Hallana and Michael are all at the top of their game and I consider them huge assets to our growing studio. Expanding our presence to California, New York and New Jersey opens us up to even more opportunities.”
Sperling, who is in Los Angeles, brings a career that spans more than 20 years. Prior to joining Refuge, he was director of VFX for original series at Netflix, where he oversaw and led a team responsible for more than 60-plus concurrent and active titles, including 3 Body Problem, Bridgerton, Vikings: Valhalla and Umbrella Academy. Career highlights include work on the first season of The Walking Dead, which earned him an Emmy nomination.
Also in LA is Poliquin, who brings a veteran perspective on scaling visual effects operations and fostering deep creative partnerships. Throughout his career, he has overseen and executive produced a diverse slate of high-profile projects. His credits include feature films such as Get Out and Hellraiser, as well as series such as Bad Monkey, The Studio, Ponies and The Audacity. Previously, he was on the executive team at Ingenuity Studios and one of its founding team members.
Based in New York, Barbosa previously worked at Ingenuity Studios, where she started her career and quickly advanced into a leadership role. Her credits include One Piece, The Night Agent, Palm Royale, S.W.A.T. and the film Weapons. She is known to work closely with filmmakers and studios from early concept through final delivery, helping to shape the creative approach while also building teams, managing budgets and ensuring a smooth path across production.
And Lebensfeld, who is in New Jersey, will interact regularly with television and feature film post producers, executive producers, financiers, directors and studio executives about upcoming projects or those currently in post that need Refuge’s services. He was fortunate to work for his older brother David Lebensfeld’s visual effects studio Ingenuity Studios beginning in 2007, eventually becoming managing director of the New York office and head of business development. He was nominated for a Video Music Award for Best VFX on Eminem’s We Made You, and was part of the team that delivered concert graphics for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour.